JEFF SZPIRGLAS is the critically acclaimed author of Gross Universe and Fear this Book, among others. His stories have been published in Chirp and chickaDEE magazines, where he also worked as a kids’ page editor. He has written for the television series' Polka Dot Shorts, Ricky’s Room, and System Crash, and co-produced two radio pieces for CBC’s Out Front. He lives in Toronto, where he influences young minds on a daily basis as an elementary school teacher.
DAVE WHAMOND is the award-winning author of several picture books including the Oddrey series, and a regular contributor to OWL and Chickadee magazines. His awards include the Blue Spruce, Silver Birch and Texas 2X2. He also has a syndicated cartoon strip called “Reality Check,” which appears daily in a number of North American newspapers. He lives in Calgary, Alberta.
They Did WHAT?! holds up a carnival funhouse mirror to the human race, showing us a hilarious reflection of foibles, flubs, and foolishness. Over the course of history we have achieved remarkable things: the Great Pyramids, space travel, and the World Wide Web — blue ribbons of humanity. But why not celebrate our eccentricities, our famous bloopers, the bits that have been edited out for so long: pet rocks, air guitar contests, and turkey-and-gravy soda. It’s time to embrace, not erase! Author Jeff Szpirglas takes a stand, and awards the booby prize to history’s most ridiculous fads, hoaxes, daredevils, advertising, urban legends, inventions, and more. They Did WHAT?! is a wild (and educational) ride!Jeff Szpirglas, Dave Whamond
…Jeff Szpirglas tickles our funny bone recounting the most outrageous stunts, fads and inventions in history… - Canadian Children’s Book News
…Dave Whamond’s exaggerated cartoons…perfectly complement the silliness of Szpirglas’s text…[a] good kid-friendly choic[e] for engrossing leisure reading material - Quill & Quire
The layout and graphics are exceptional and marvelous. The drawings are colorful and humorous. There is an abundance of cartooning techniques that catch the eye and compliment the text. This is the type of book that the reader can feel a sense of satisfaction from reading for a few minutes or for hours and hours…This book is highly recommended for both schools and public libraries. - Resource Links
Children who read this book will look at history and science with new enthusiasm and curiosity, and teachers will be able to demonstrate that history is not as boring as some may think. - School Library Journal
